| |
| 33. |
Steven Baron |
C |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-2 |
210 |
John A. Ferguson |
Miami |
Duke |
12/7/1990 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Baron began attracting a lot of attention from scouts during the fall and winter leading into his senior season, and he quickly established himself as one of the nation's best catch-and-throw prospects early this spring. He has a prototypical catcher's build with a firm, strong lower half and more slender upper half, and not only has very good hands behind the plate but a precocious ability to block balls in the dirt. Many scouts who saw him in the early going believed he could be put into a major-league game now and more than hold his own defensively. Baron has superior arm strength along with a short release and very quick feet, enabling him to shut down a running game. He routinely makes throws to second in 1.9 seconds, and aggressively throws to the bases. His athleticism and average speed (4.3-4.4 down the line) would make him a good defender at almost any position, but it's readily apparent that he'll be a catcher wherever he plays beyond high school. Baron's bat is not nearly as sure a proposition. He has a sound mechanical swing with good bat speed and shows his best power to right-center field, but his swing doesn't stay in the strike zone for long and he'll have holes in his swing with wood-initially, at least. Still, his approach at the plate is solid for a prepster and he hit a number of balls hard with wood at various off-season showcase events. With his higher profile, he's become an integral part of a loaded Florida prep catching class and scouts project him as at least a quality major-league backup, even if he hits just .230 because his defense is so good. His commitment to Duke will cause concern among teams, and he could tumble out of the early rounds if there is an indication he is leaning towards attending college.-- ANUP SINHA / DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Baron finished the season hitting .345-2-16 for Ferguson High, and got third- to fourth-round consideration, at worst, from most area scouts. It's possible he could go as high as the second round, however, especially if a team believes it needs to spend slot money in that round to steer him away from Duke. Baron popped times this spring as well as any catcher in the country, often in the 1.8s during competition. Questions will remain about his bat and teams were scheduled to work him out extensively now that he's done with his high-school season.-- ANUP |
| |
| 34. |
Rex Brothers |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-0 |
195 |
Lipscomb |
Chapel Hill, Tenn. |
Never drafted |
12/18/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Brothers had a losing record in 2008, both as a sophomore at Lipscomb (4-5, 5.57) and in his return to Falmouth of the Cape Cod League (1-4, 4.25), and walked a combined 81 in 133 innings. But he also topped the Atlantic Sun Conference in strikeouts, with 97 in 97 innings, and led the Commodores with 48 more strikeouts in 36 innings. He punched out hitters at a high rate mainly on the strength of two dominating pitches, a 92-94 mph fastball that topped out at 96 late in the Cape League season, and a hard, biting slider that can overpower hitters when he throws it consistently for strikes. His changeup is a clear No. 3 pitch, and viewed more as a work in progress. The key for Brothers lies in his control and the consistency of his breaking ball. He struggled with his command early in the summer on the Cape, but it got much sharper in the second half of the season as he gained confidence in his stuff, and it showed in his performance. He pitched much better in the second half. If Brothers can continue to perform at a high level as a junior, he could surge close to the first round in the June draft-a remarkable feat considering he went undrafted out of a Tennessee high school and was not heavily recruited by even area colleges.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Brothers was lurking on the brink of the first round on April 4, when he hooked up with Kennesaw State fireballer Kyle Heckathorn in the opener of an Atlantic Sun series that was one of the most heavily-scouted games of the spring-with more than half the 30 major-league scouting directors on hand. Though Brothers lost the game, 2-1 on two unearned runs, it was his best outing of the spring and he made a profound impression on the assembled masses. He went the distance, walked none and struck out 12, with a fastball that peaked at 97 mph and a dynamite slider. His velocity was up and down, and his command came and went the remainder of the spring, but the one outing vaulted Brothers squarely into the first round. In 14 starts, he went 5-5, 3.26 with 43 walks and 132 strikeouts in 94 innings. Everything may hinge ultimately on the day a team saw Brothers. His command was inconsistent as he was prone to leaving a lot of pitches up in the zone, his fastball was flat at times and he often worked with only two pitches as Brothers struggled to incorporate his changeup-suggesting a closer role may be in his future.-- AS |
| |
| 35. |
Matt Davidson |
3B |
Sr. |
R-R |
6-3 |
210 |
Yucaipa |
Yucaipa, Calif. |
Southern California |
3/26/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Davidson has been a high-profile player in the Southern California prep ranks since the start of his high-school career. He has an extra-strong, well-proportioned build that, right now, plays well at third base, but Davidson will have to work hard as he gets older and the game speeds up to maintain his quickness and agility. He has an easy, quick release on his throws and plenty of arm strength to establish himself at third base, should he maintain his range to remain there. But Davidson's big tool, whether at third base or first, is his power potential. The ball comes off Davidson's bat differently than most other top prospects his age, and tends to go farther as well. Davidson's swing is a bit long, like most power hitters, but it's an effortless swing with excellent extension through the ball. He can get pull-happy at times, and hits best when he squares up balls and sends them to all fields, especially to right-center. Davidson struggled as a junior last year with the weight of high expectations on his shoulders, and hit only .333-7-22 with 26 strikeouts in 78 at-bats. But he performed much better during the summer against superior competition, particularly at the 2008 World Wood Bat Association 17-and-under national championship, where he completely dominated, and later at the Aflac All-American Game, where he won the home-run derby. He's a polished player, who is quietly aggressive and confident in his ability. He also pitches for his high-school team, and posted a 0.88 ERA in 40 innings a year ago, striking out 48. If Davidson performs close to his obvious raw tools this spring, it should push him into the first round of the 2009 draft.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Davidson rebounded from his mediocre junior season and carried over his summer success to an outstanding spring. Scouts say that Davidson has not only played like a man among boys on one of the top-high school teams in the country (Yucaipa High was 25-2), but is playing the game with an ease and enjoyment that they haven't previously seen. The result has been a senior season that seems to have firmly entrench Davidson in first-round consideration on many team's draft boards. Davidson was hitting a robust .560-10-41 this season, with 17 doubles and a 24-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He also served effectively as Yucaipa's closer and had gone 3-0, 1.58 with five saves and 38 strikeouts in 26 innings.-- DR |
| |
| 36. |
Aaron Miller |
LHP/OF |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-3 |
220 |
Baylor |
Channelview, Texas |
Rockies '06 (11) |
9/18/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Miller drew high praise in high school from scouts, both as an elite pitcher and power hitter, on his way to becoming an 11th-round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2006 draft. But injuries have taken a toll on him pretty much throughout his college career, especially in summer-league competition. He missed all of the summer of 2007 after breaking his wrist when hit by a pitch 39 games into his freshman season at Baylor, then was hampered again last summer by a frayed labrum in his non-throwing shoulder that limited him to 13 games in the Cape Cod League and forced him to return home early to have his shoulder surgically repaired. Though he showed plenty of power in BP sessions, it was quickly apparent in game conditions that his shoulder bothered him. He had trouble staying inside balls and pitchers soon exploited his weakness. The more he pulled off balls, the more prone he became to missing pitches altogether and it led to the unsightly total of 24 strikeouts in just 43 at-bats. Overall, he hit just .209 for Chatham and failed to homer even once. Normally, Miller has a somewhat long but picturesque swing, and can put a charge in balls. He topped Baylor with 12 homers as a sophomore, while hitting .295 with 45 RBIs. He also led the Bears in walks (34), on-base percentage (.425) and slugging average (.562). He was hit by 15 pitches, as well, obviously showing no reluctance to hang in on inside pitches, even after being sidelined the previous year by an errant pitch. He was as good as new by the start of the 2009 season. It was anticipated that Miller would give pitching his first real extended test this spring as well, after pitching sparingly in his first two seasons at Baylor. He worked in just five innings a year ago, and threw two bullpens on the Cape without being used in a game, though he almost certainly would have seen time on the mound had he not departed prematurely. With a fastball in the 87-90 mph range but the upside to one day throw in the mid-90s, Miller was more highly-regarded as a lefthanded pitcher in high school, but added strength soon unleashed the power in his swing. He has great leverage at the point of contact and lots of natural loft in his swing. Though he has been almost exclusively an outfielder since his high-school days, Miller is considered a solid defender at both first base and in the outfield.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): While Miller did little this spring to step forward as a prospect with the bat, essentially duplicating his sophomore year with a .328-12-47 line (as Baylor entered NCAA regional play), he did manage to completely change his prospect-profile with his work on the mound. The lefthander wasn't expected to pitch much more than he did as a sophomore (five innings), but the supposedly-deep Baylor pitching staff unraveled due to injuries and poor performance early in the year, and Miller was given a shot. That shot ended up lasting 47 innings, and included six starts. Though he was an unimpressive 3-3, 5.38, he struck out 59 hitters and established himself as a better pitching prospect than hitting prospect, in the eyes of a majority of scouts. Miller's fastball was consistently in the plus range and topped out at 95 mph. He also flashed plus action on a mid-80s slider that had very good tilt at times. Miller doesn't have much of a changeup, at present, so everything he throws is hard and his command is understandably inconsistent due to lack of experience. But on raw stuff and athletic ability alone, he warrants consideration in the top two rounds as a lefthanded pitcher.-- DR |
| |
| 37. |
James Paxton |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-4 |
215 |
Kentucky |
Ladner, B.C. |
Never drafted |
11/6/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Prior to the 2009 season, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Paxton was viewed as a third- to sixth-round talent, but it was apparent almost immediately that the British Columbia product had elevated his game to another level. Without question, he was the college player who created the most buzz among scouts as the 2009 season opened. Paxton's fastball was a steady 95-96 mph, touching 97, and he not only had good sinking action on the pitch from a tough, low-three-quarters angle, but he painted it efficiently to both sides of the plate. A revamped grip on his breaking ball, a cross between a slider and curve, gave him a second quality pitch. His surge up draft boards was all pretty heady stuff for a pitcher from Canada, who was lightly recruited and went undrafted out of a suburban Vancouver high school in 2006. But Paxton has always been a bit behind on the normal development curve, and only now seems to be catching up. Not only did he grow up in B.C., which put him at a disadvantage to begin with because there is not a formal high-school baseball program in the province, but he was behind in almost every other way. When he enrolled at Kentucky, he was three inches shorter than his current listed height, he was one of the youngest freshmen in the college ranks (he won't turn 21 until November) and his fastball was only in the 84-86 mph range. Not surprisingly, he was little factor as a freshman in the SEC, posting a 6.62 ERA with 16 walks and just 10 strikeouts in 18 innings. Though he bumped up his fastball into the 88-90 mph range as a sophomore at Kentucky and produced a 4-2, 2.92 record, scouts got limited looks at Paxton at the most critical stages of the 2008 season after an unexplainable lower-back injury sidelined him for all of post-season play at Kentucky, and significantly compromised his summer season with the Alaska League's Anchorage Glacier Pilots. He worked in only 16 innings in Alaska before returning home to consult with a back specialist. Though he appeared healthy again last fall, he was brought along slowly by the Wildcats coaching staff. But it was quickly apparent to scouts in practice games leading up to the 2009 season that there was something different. Not only was Paxton's fastball in the mid-90s, but he had a long, loose, easy arm action. He was also in better shape than he had ever been in before, and consequently he had greater control of his body on the mound. Paxton's intelligence, aptitude and work ethic are all outstanding, and scouts say it was just a matter of time before everything came together for him.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Paxton showed scouts this spring all the ability to become a first-round pick, but it came in sporadic bursts. His status as an elite pitching prospect was so sudden, and in many ways so new to him that he had his moments when things appeared to move too quickly for him. He was brilliant in some outings, with a fastball that topped at 97, but was hit hard in others and his improved stock in the draft curiously came at a time that his ERA doubled from 2.92 in 2008 to 5.86 this season. The more telling numbers in evaluating Paxton were his 20-to-115, walks-to-strikeouts ratio, a far more accurate barometer of his excellent command and stuff than his 5-3 record and bloated ERA. His dominant fastball had both velocity and very good run and sink. He also transformed his breaking ball into a true curveball, and though he didn't use his changeup often, it was a serviceable third pitch. Paxton's arm action was clean and he exerted limited effort in his delivery. Save for a few rough spots, he clearly pitched his way into the first-round mix and the teams that focused more on his strengths this spring will be the ones inclined to draft him there.-- AS |
| |
| 38. |
Josh Phegley |
C |
Jr. |
R-R |
5-11 |
215 |
Indiana |
Terre Haute, Ind. |
Never drafted |
2/12/19 88 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Phegley enjoyed a steller sophomore season at Indiana, hitting a robust .438-15-80. In the process, he positioned himself as the top college catching prospect in a 2009 draft that features an abundance of quality high-school catchers. Phegley had minor surgery for a frayed labrum prior to the 2009 season and experienced some tendonitis in his shoulder when he tried out for Team USA last summer after a two-week layoff, and was shut down for the summer. The previous summer, he missed part of the Cape Cod League season with a broken hand. When healthy, Phegley is capable of impressing scouts both offensively and defensively. He has excellent bat speed in his short, compact stroke, gets good bat-head control and makes good adjustments in his approach to hitting. He walked 34 times a year ago, while striking out on just 22 occasions. Phegley can shut down the running game with a quick release and solid-average arm strength, though his shoulder troubles may have zapped him of some of his arm strength. He is a sound receiver with soft hands, but the part of his game that really stands out defensively is his aggressive, take-charge demeanor. He isn't afraid to get down and dirty, and finds a way to get the job done. At a thick 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds, Phegley has obviously spent a lot of time in the weight room, and though he has little or no physical projection, he is exceptionally strong and durable in the hips and legs-ideal traits for a catcher.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): There is no consensus on where Phegley may be drafted, only that his stock has dropped slightly from his lofty pre-season perch. He would seem to project as a third-rounder, give or take a round in either direction. Scouts love his intensity and passion for the game, but tended to find fault this spring when they scrutinized him a little more closely than in the past. He did an admirable job of handling the elite arms on the Indiana pitching staff, but he didn't show easy mobility behind the plate and his basic catching skills (blocking, shifting) were called into question occasionally. His arm strength was below average and lacked carry initially, but seemed to improve as the spring wore on, though may never be the plus arm he possessed prior to his shoulder surgery. More than anything, there continued to be concern over his lack of body projection. Though his batting average tumbled 94 points from a year ago, Phegley still hit a commendable .344-17-56. His bat remains his best tool. His short, upper-cut stroke and deep crouch are reminiscent of ex-big leaguer Jeff Bagwell's swing and stance, and he showed plenty of bat speed and lift in his swing to project as at least an average home-run threat with wood.-- ANUP SINHA / AS |
| |
| 39. |
Kentrail Davis |
OF |
So. |
L-R |
5-9 |
200 |
Tennessee |
Thoedore, Ala. |
Rockies '07 (14) |
6/29/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Davis enjoyed a strong freshman season at Tennessee (.330-13-44) and grades out as the top college outfield prospect in 2009 as a draft-eligible sophomore. Though he's undersized at 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, Davis is compact and very strong. He is built like a lefthanded-hitting version of Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, and has a lot of Puckett's ability, too, as he has above-average power potential, hitting ability and speed. He has explosive bat speed with a level stroke through the hitting zone and legitimate pull power-even with his small stature. Davis drives the ball to all fields but his swing may be best suited for hitting line drives and slashing the ball. He puts pressure on defenses with his speed, as he typically runs from home to first in a fast 4.1 seconds. With a team-high 56 strikeouts in 206 at-bats, however, he'll need to make more frequent contact to take better advantage of his speed. That tool also enables him to cover a lot of ground in center field, though he is still a little crude defensively. His arm is just passable, as well, and he now appears better suited for left field. An Alabama high school product, Davis might have been a first-round pick in 2007 had he been more agreeable to signing then. But he's done nothing to hurt his stock with a year in college and a summer with Team USA's college national team, and his chance to go in the first round still is very real. He played in only nine games for Team USA last summer as his season was cut short by a wrist injury, but he stood out as his .370 average was the best average on the team. Scouts continue to view him as the same classic high-risk, high-reward talent that he was in high school. They see huge upside but are wary of his short, stout frame and his somewhat raw stage of development.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Davis showed all indications of becoming an early first-round pick as he embarked on the 2009 season, but he got in a funk early, began to press and never really came out of it, hitting just .309-9-30 on the season with 48 strikeouts in 214 at-bats, and a mere four stolen bases in five attempts. A modest late-season upswing helped a bit, but they were clearly not the numbers scouts expected, considering Davis' obvious power/speed package, and it left them pondering whether Davis is a run scorer or run producer, or both-or even neither, as he simply didn't perform either way this spring. He was prone to pulling off balls all season, to taking weak, tentative swings and he made few adjustments at the plate to compensate. Ironically, Davis didn't perform as well in 2009 as 2008, even with a lot more protection in the Tennessee batting order. Not only has his lack of production left teams in a quandary, but his sophomore-eligible status and representation (Scott Boras) further clouds his draft status, and Davis could go as early as the sandwich round to a possible late-round afterthought if he believes his career would be better served by writing off 2009 and taking another run at the draft in 2010.-- AS |
| |
| 40. |
Tyler Skaggs |
LHP |
Sr. |
L-L |
6-5 |
180 |
Santa Monica |
Santa Monica, Calif. |
Cal State Fullerton |
7/13/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Skaggs, a very slender 6-foot-5 lefthander, saw his stock fly up the charts after a strong performance at the World Wood Bat Association fall championship in Jupiter, Fla., in October. Scouts had previously seen Skaggs pitch in the 86-88 mph range for the most part, but he was a steady 89-91 mph in Jupiter and touched 92 on some guns. Skaggs' best pitch is his curveball, which lacks ideal velocity in the upper-60s but has a big, sharp break and Skaggs throws it with great feel to different parts of the strike zone. He also has a very workable changeup that he's not afraid to use, and demonstrates an advanced maturity to pitching. As a junior, he went 6-5, 1.09 with 21 walks and 89 strikeouts in 64 innings. Skaggs is going to be a much-discussed and debated prospect this spring, as he presents a number of enigmas for scouts. He is long, slender and loose, and thus should be projectable, but also has a narrow chest and shoulders, and may not have the frame for much added strength. His arm action is smooth and tension-free, but he's somewhat of a pie-thrower. His curveball is an effective weapon at the high-school level, but he'll have to add significant velocity to it to enable him to compete effectively against top-level hitters. In particular, scouts will have to hone in on whether Skaggs' improved velocity in October was a product of rest and a short, showcase-type outing or is real improvement that can be sustained. There are lots of questions, but plenty of time to find the answers. Skaggs' mother has actually been instrumental in his development through the years as she has been coaching softball at Santa Monica High for 20 years.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Skaggs has had a stock-market spring, with pronounced ups and downs. He was one of the biggest scouting topics in Southern California in the early going, when he was pitching in the same 88-92 mph range that he had flashed in October and had his usual effective curve and good command. At that point, hearing Skaggs' name mentioned as a first-rounder and in the same breath as other top lefthanders such as fellow Californian Tyler Matzek and Texan Matthew Purke was not uncommon. As the spring wore on, Skaggs' velocity dropped to the mid-80s more frequently and his curve lost a similar amount of power. His overall record was at 2-2, 1.37 with 67 K's in 41 innings, hardly dominating by first-round standards. Given that Skaggs is also not an especially physical athlete and has not shown he can consistently maintain average fastball velocity over a period of time, there is an element of risk in lumping him among the elite lefthanders in the country.-- DR |
| |
| 41. |
Chris Owings |
SS |
Sr. |
R-R |
5-11 |
170 |
Gilbert |
Leesville, S.C. |
South Carolina |
8/12/1991 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Owings isn't an especially physical player, nor does he have blazing speed in the middle of the field as he has been clocked in the 60 in a pedestrian 6.9 seconds. But he is one of the best pure shortstops in the 2009 draft class, and has a surprisingly strong bat for his size. Owings is one of those shortstops whose abilitiy stands out on routine plays. He is extremely dependable and sure-handed, and has a very strong and accurate arm. Should he elect to go the college route out of high school, he should be able to step in immediately at South Carolina and handle shortstop defensively at the Southeastern-Conference level. Offensively, Owing's key is his how he uses his hands. Of most importance, he needs to keep his hands very short and quick to the ball. He doesn't project home-run power but should collect more than his share of doubles as he has little trouble pulling balls down the third base-line. He profiles as an ideal No. 2 type hitter as he can handle the bat and excels in doing whatever is necessary to keep an inning going. Owings' baseball resume points to what type of player he is. He hit .488-4-30 as a high-school junior, was named the South Carolina 2-A player of the year and was selected to the all-state team for the third consecutive season. Gilbert High won its second state title in the last three years in 2008, and Owings' South Carolina Diamond Devils summer club, with Owings batting leadoff and playing shortstop, won both the World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) 17-and-under summer championship and the Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA) 18-and-under World Series.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| UPDATE (5/15): Owings hit .482-5-19 with 20 stolen bases for Gilbert High this spring, and was a repeat selection as South Carolina's 2-A player of the year. While he doesn't do any one thing extremely well, Owings clearly indicated to a wave of scouts who saw him play as a prep senior that he is very solid across the board. If anything, he may have convinced them he can be an offensive middle infielder capable of remaining at shortstop. His raw power potential did not stick out, but he impressed scouts with his quick, direct stroke through the hitting zone and ability to square up balls consistently. He was steady in the field with a quick release, and sound, repeatable arm action. He's also a slightly above-average runner and is normally timed around 4.15 seconds to first base. Most scouts believe Owings settled in as a solid second-round pick, though South Carolina fights hard to keep its recruits and that may yet be a factor in where he is drafted.-- JEFF SIMPSON |
| |
| 42. |
Garrett Richards |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-3 |
200 |
Oklahoma |
Edmond, Okla. |
Never drafted |
5/27/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Richards' raw arm strength and his big, athletic pitching frame are undeniable assets. He routinely worked in the 93-95 mph range in the Alaska League last summer-and even reached 98 on occasion. But Richards has struggled to find consistent success at any stage of his career since going undrafted out of an Oklahoma high school in 2006. That stems in large measure because the harder he has tried to throw a ball, the more his mechanics get out of whack, the more his command wanders and the more his fastball straightens out. He also creates little deception in his delivery, so hitters have little trouble picking up the ball out of his hand no matter how hard he throws it. As a middle reliever in 2008 at Oklahoma, Richards went just 1-0, 6.97, walked 17 in 21 innings and was torched for a .349 average-highest on the team. In his first start last summer in Alaska, he was roughed up for seven first-inning runs. But Richards, with the aid of Mat-Su pitching coach Ryan Heil, soon made significant headway in aligning his mechanics and changing his approach. He learned to take velocity off his fastball to add more movement and also fine-tuned his slider to a point that it showed signs of becoming a second put-away pitch. Richards' delivery, however, is still not as clean as desired and his slider tends to be more of a slurve as he gets on the side of the pitch too much. Though he didn't make his first Alaska League appearance until July 11, his improvement in his short stint was noticeable and he finished the summer with an acceptable 2-1, 3.42 record with 13 walks and 23 strikeouts in 26 innings. While his 2009 role at Oklahoma remains unclear, it's anticipated he will get first crack at reclaiming the closer job that was thrust upon him as a freshman, when he saved nine games, despite an overall 1-1, 6.97 record. If Richards can continue to fine-tune his mechanics-and, by extension, improve his command-and show the maturity to know when to unleash his powerful fastball and when to back off on the pitch to get greater movement, his stock could surge in that role.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Richards and Oklahoma State's Tyler Blandford (No. 5 below) must seem like twins to scouts. They have many of the same above-average tools, but also many of the same negative aspects holding them back. Both took huge steps toward this spring in harnessing their considerable skills, and they now look to be potential top-3 round picks. Richards showed steady improvement all season and was at his best at the end to finish at 9-4, 6.00 with 38 walks and 85 K's in 75 innings. His fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range and touched 97 mph occasionally. He complements his heat with a low-80s slurve-type slider that he did a much better job commanding. His changeup isn't a factor and there has been plenty of discussion, as there with Blandford, that Richards could end up as a closer/power reliever in the pros, a role he has pitched in as a collegian.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 43. |
Brad Boxberger |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-2 |
195 |
Southern California |
Tustin, Calif. |
Royals '06 (20) |
5/27/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Boxberger returned to the Cape Cod League with a new team and in a new role in 2008, and his new lease on life led to a dramatic improvement as he progressed from the league's No. 32 prospect (as a starter at Orleans) to No. 8 (as a closer at Chatham). While he went 1-0, 1.24 and limited Cape hitters to a .155 average a year earlier, Boxberger wasn't overpowering with a fastball in the 88-91 mph range. That all changed last summer as he was able to blow out his fastball in short bursts, and regularly reached 93-95 mph with late life and command. He effectively became a bullpen pitcher with starter stuff as he was able to complement his sizzling fastball with a hard, biting, 84-86 mph slider, a 74-76 mph curve and a legit change. Though he was not enthralled initially with closing, Boxberger began taking to the role as he got hitters out consistently, and he soon relished closing out games. His makeup seemed appropriate for the role, too, as he handled pressure situations with an expressionless demeanor. The upshot was a 1-2, 2.89 record with nine saves in 19 appearances (he had two blown saves that were attributed to his catcher not being able to handle his overpowering stuff). In 19 innings, he struck out 28 and walked eight while limiting hitters to a .170 average. That performance was in sharp contrast to his sophomore season at USC, where he went 2-4, 6.12 with three saves and allowed 80 base runners (54 hits, 26 walks) in 50 innings, while striking out 52. Boxberger began the 2008 season in the Trojans rotation, but was shut down twice with a balky elbow and finished the season in a less-demanding bullpen role. USC coaches allowed him to return to the Cape, but with strict instructions that he not be overworked. His role as a closer satisfied that request, and it may also have boosted his draft stock into the first round of next year's draft as a dozen scouting directors witnessed him at his dominant-best in a one-inning role at the Cape Cod League all-star game. Should he be selected in the first round, it would give Boxberger, a 20th-round pick of the Kansas City Royals out of high school, and his father Rod the rare distinction of being father-son first-rounders out of the same college. Rod Boxberger (12-1, 2.00) was selected the outstanding player at the 1978 College World Series for champion USC and went on to become the first-round draft pick that year of the Houston Astros, though never pitched in the big leagues.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Boxberger returned to his customary role as USC's Friday starter this spring, and though he won just five games in 13 starts while posting a 5-3, 2.97 record, he generally pitched well enough to give himself a shot to go late in the first round-though clearly not as high as his father went 31 years earlier, when he was the 11th pick. Brad showed a quick, live arm with an easy, fluid delivery and produced a fastball that ranged from 91-94 mph. His slider, curve and change well all solid, dependable secondary pitches. Boxberger demonstrated good pitchability and a sound, competitive mound presence, though he had a tendency to run out of gas late in games and his command would falter. That was reflective of the 47 walks he surrendered in a staff-high 88 innings, but his 95 strikeouts and a .203 opponent batting average were accurate barometers of his dominance.-- AS |
| |
| 44. |
Tanner Scheppers |
RHP |
--- |
R-R |
6-4 |
170 |
St. Paul (Amer. Assoc.) |
Laguna Niguel, Calif. |
Pirates '08 (2) |
1/17/1987 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): With a fastball that was clocked consistently at 92-97 mph last spring, Scheppers not only emerged as a premium prospect for the 2008 draft but may have had the best raw arm strength of any pitcher on the West Coast. His fastball peaked at 99 mph in his lone relief appearance of the season in early May, when he was used to close out a game. He took his regular turn in the rotation for the finale of a Western Athletic Conference series two days later and threw 136 pitches over 6 2/3 innings, and rumblings of a sore arm soon cropped up when Scheppers didn't make his scheduled start the following weekend. Sure enough, he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his shoulder and didn't pitch again over the balance of the 2008 season as the draft came and went, and Fresno State made an unexpected run to a College World Series title without Scheppers in the lineup. Scheppers was targeted to go in the top 10 picks until his unfortunate shoulder injury, and ended up sliding to the second round (48th pick overall). The Pittsburgh Pirates took a calculated risk that he would be healthy enough to sign by the Aug. 15 deadline, but weren't comfortable with his progress in a workout in Pittsburgh just prior to the deadline and the two sides weren't able to agree on a deal. Scheppers gave little consideration to returning to Fresno State for his senior year as hard feelings developed between the righthander and the FSU coaching staff over the way he was used late in the 2008 season, and he ended up signing with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association in late September. He should get 4-6 starts with the Saints for scouts to scrutinize him prior to the 2009 draft. If 100 percent healthy, it's entirely possible he could re-establish his priority position in the draft from a year ago. In addition to his overpowering fastball, Scheppers has an 86-87 mph slider that he threw more consistently for strikes last year while assembling an 8-2, 2.93 record with 109 strikeouts in 71 innings. He also walked 34, but his control was not construed as a negative, considering his velocity. Prior to his shoulder injury, scouts liked his loose, clean, quick arm action and the limited effort in his delivery. The ball jumped out of his hand and his fastball had good downhill plane and heavy sink. He also made significant strides with the cutting and spinning action on his slider and the bite on his 82-84 mph curveball, an average pitch when he gets out front with it. His changeup, clocked at 81-83 mph, is still in the development stage. Until his junior year at Fresno State, Scheppers flew largely under the radar as he enrolled in college as predominantly a middle infielder. He worked in only 15 innings as a freshman, but jumped to 93 innings as a sophomore, making 15 starts after starting the season in the bullpen. He went 7-5, 4.74 with 32 walks and 94 strikeouts. -- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Scheppers' return both to health and the draft market was determined to be a success this spring. Even before arriving in Minnesota in April to join the independent St. Paul Saints, Scheppers pitched in a number of scrimmages for the benefit of scouts at Golden West (Calif.) JC, where he had been working out. While Scheppers is still considered slender in his lean 6-foot-4 frame, he has added 15 pounds of muscle since a year ago. He threw steadily in the 94-96 mph range throughout May, and topped out at 98. His arm action and delivery remained smooth and effortless, and his curve showed consistent spin and action, although he didn't appear to develop the feel and command of the pitch that he had last spring or will need in pro ball. Scouts have generally ignored his mundane performance numbers to open the 2009 season (0-1, 3.86 in 14 IP), attributing his sluggish start to accumulated rust. Scheppers was mentioned initially as a candidate to go as high as No. 2 in this year's draft, a pick held by the Seattle Mariners. That lofty ranking didn't hold for long, but there appears little doubt he'll be a top-10 pick, based on his raw talent. There is some concern still that his medical is a lingering issue, although respected Los Angeles Angels team doctor, Dr. Lewis Yocum, reportedly examined him, cleared him and sent out a clean bill of health to clubs in late April.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 45. |
Mike Belfiore |
LHP |
Jr. |
R-L |
6-3 |
225 |
Boston College |
Commack, N.Y. |
Never drafted |
10/3/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Belfiore has both pitched and played first base throughout his high-school, college and summer-league careers. While he started at first base for Boston College as both a freshman (.297, three homers) and sophomore (.274, two homers), and worked in only 10 innings his first season for the Eagles and just 18 more in 2008, it's apparent that his future is on the mound-most likely in a relief. He was valuable in that role a year ago, going 2-0, 2.45 with eight saves. He went to the Cape Cod League last summer, ostensibly to close and play a little first base, but ended up saving just one game for two-time defending champion Yarmouth-Dennis, while going 0-1, 3.21 with 21 strikeouts in 14 innings. UC Riverside righthander Joe Kelly, a potential early-round pick in 2009, earned first crack at the closer's job. Belfiore managed to play in just nine games at first base for the Red Sox, hitting .194-0-1, but often showed the best power on the Y-D roster in BP. His obvious athletic ability was readily apparent in the field, too, as he is a superior defender at first. Not surprisingly, he was a basketball player of some note at a New York high school. Though Belfiore's fastball was routinely in the 89-92 mph range on the Cape, it was apparent he had more in the tank and his fastball peaked at 94 mph last fall. He has also shown a good feel for a tight 82-83 mph slider and 78-79 curve, and throws with ease from a high three-quarters angle. With his ability to throw strikes consistently, he could move quickly to the big leagues.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Belfiore had worked in only 39 innings through his initial 24 relief assignments this spring for Boston College, when he was called upon in the ninth inning of a 2-2 game against Texas in the NCAA regionals. In what became one of the most dramatic and historic games in college baseball history, Belfiore pitched the next 9-1/3 innings for the Eagles in a contest that Texas, the national No. 1 seed, finally won 3-2 in the 25th inning. Though Belfiore was brilliant in not allowing a run or a walk, and just three hits along with 11 punchouts, in easily the longest stint of his pitching career, he was actually out-dueled by Texas lefthander Austin Wood, who blacked BC on two hits, striking out 14, in 13 scoreless frames. Both were pitchers were long gone by the time Texas finally pushed across the winning run. Though Belfiore failed to earn a win or save with his masterful performance, he still managed to lower his final ERA to 2.05 while improving his walk-strikeout ratio to 12-59 in 48 innings. He also went 5-1 and saved nine games. Because of his normally brief, end-of-game role for the Eagles, Northeast scouts rarely got a quality look at Belfiore to accurately gauge the effectiveness of all four pitches he offers (no doubt, the scouts who saw him in Texas did). But his fastball was a steady 90-92 mph with arm-side run, and would reach 94. He threw it so easy and effortlessly that Belfiore might reach 97-98 mph one day, once he refines his delivery and dedicates himself full-time to pitching. His slider and curve acted as similar breaking ball at times, but scouts saw depth in his curve and bite on his slider when they were working at peak efficiency. With the makings of a decent change as well, Belfiore has the repertoire to start and he is projected to work in that role at the next level-and his magnificent final outing of his career seemed like the perfect audition for the role.-- AS |
| |
| 46. |
Matt Bashore |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-3 |
200 |
Indiana |
Tipp City, Ohio |
Never drafted |
4/6/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Bashore earned all-Big Ten honors as a sophomore at Indiana by posting a 7-3, 3.59 record with a conference-best 86 strikeouts in 83 innings. But his arm was a little tender when he arrived for his summer assignment in the Cape Cod League, and his college coaches requested that he not start initially and be used cautiously throughout the summer-particularly since he already has Tommy John surgery in his past (2004). Thus, he made just seven appearances for Wareham and worked in only 22 innings. He went 2-2, 3.15 with nine walks and an eye-popping 32 strikeouts. He did end up making three starts in the second half and his best outing came in his final appearance when his fastball registered 88-91 mph, and he mixed it efficiently with his curve and changeup. Bashore, an Ohio high school product, has a lot of Tom Glavine-esque qualities in his approach to pitching, and appropriately his best pitch is his changeup, thrown with a split-finger grip. The pitch has good sinking action, and he spots it efficiently to both sides of the plate. Though he didn't air out his fastball on the Cape because he was on a tight leash, Bashore was clocked as high as 94 mph last spring in college. He profiles as a starter down the road, and has the size, easy delivery, raw stuff and command to warrant being drafted in the second or third round in 2009. But he'll need to prove he's at full strength to bring out the very best in his raw stuff.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Bashore came out of the box slowly this spring, but turned it on late and finished with respectable numbers (7-5, 4.07, 95 IP, 30 BB/108 SO). If anything, he mostly lost ground on his own heavily-scouted team as righthander Eric Arnett surged past him this spring. Bashore threw consistently-average velocity for a lefty, 88-91 mph, but struggled early with his command and slider, which came together as the weather got warmer. He threw from a loose, easy three-quarters slot and generally stayed on top of his pitches, giving him a good downhill plane. He had no glaring flaws, but scouts said he may need to challenge hitters more often with his fastball. Area scouts have him pegged in the second to third rounds, believing Bashore has three average pitches and the moxie to make them work. In his own geographic region, he was regularly likened in terms of style and stuff to Louisville lefty Justin Marks, also a second- to third-rounder.-- ANUP SINHA |
| |
| 47. |
Kyle Heckathorn |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-6 |
240 |
Kennesaw State |
Ringgold, Ga. |
Never drafted |
6/17/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): From the standpoint of his physical, athletic frame and pure stuff, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound Heckathorn may rank as high as anyone in the 2009 draft. He is a man-child. His fastball sits in the 94-97 mph range and has topped at 99. He has three major-league quality pitches, including a hard, high-80s slider, and a changeup. While his stuff is dominant when he is on his game, Heckathorn needs to show he can win more consistently after struggling to do so as a sophomore at Kennesaw State, going just 4-2, 4.98 with 22 walks and 64 strikeouts in 60 innings. He topped the Owls with 77 strikeouts in 68 innings as a freshman. Heckathorn also must prove his arm is healthy after concerns surfaced last summer, when he came home from the Cape Cod League after two starts, that he was encountering some minor discomfort in his elbow. Kennesaw State coaches say they were just being precautionary in explaining his premature departure, and his performance in the fall, when his fastball consistently reached the high-90s and his slider the high-80s, seemed to dispel any notion that there was an injury issue of any kind.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Heckathorn was much more effective as a junior than he was in his first two college seasons, albeit somewhat less than dominant with a 4-1, 3.44 record in 13 starts. Of more significance, he struck out 98 and walked just 27 in 86 innings. But Heckathorn's velocity had a wide range, wavering from average (88-93 mph) to the mid- and even high-90s. His slider was also inconsistent; showing plus action and location on occasion, but often hanging up in the zone and getting him in trouble. Heckathorn's very mechanical delivery and glove separation may be altered in pro ball in an effort to simplify his delivery. Heckathorn initially projected as a late first-round pick, but he's been passed by pitching mate Chad Jenkins and may end up in the second round-though it's entirely possible that a team that is enamored with his arm strength could still pop him in the sandwich round.-- ANUP SINHA |
| |
| 48. |
Tyler Kehrer |
LHP |
Jr. |
L-L |
6-3 |
210 |
Eastern Illinois |
New Baden, Ill. |
Never drafted |
3/23/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): With a 27-30 record overall, Eastern Illinois made a surprise appearance in the NCAA regionals a year ago as the Ohio Valley Conference tournament champions. The powerfully-built Kehrer played a key role in his team's unexpected foray into post-season play, even though he won just once in 13 starts. Despite his 1-5, 5.12 record with 46 walks and 60 strikeouts in 63 innings, he more than held his own against Eastern Kentucky lefthander Christian Friedrich, a first-round pick in 2008, and Jacksonville State righty Ben Tootle, a projected 2009 first-rounder. The Panthers return virtually intact from 2008 and rank as heavy favorites to capture the OVC regular-season title outright. With vastly improved command of his three-pitch mix in the fall, Kehrer should not only play a significant role in the team's expected success but is primed for a big step upward on draft lists this spring. His strong, durable frame impresses scouts, as does his quick arm and raw stuff. His fastball from the left side routinely ranges from 90-94 mph and his secondary pitches include a hard, slurve-type breaking ball and a solid changeup. Kehrer is also the best athlete on the EIU roster. The trick for Kehrer will be to maintain his mechanics on a consistent basis. He was prone to getting out of rhythm and off-balance in his first two seasons, and had trouble repeating his stuff and locating the strike zone. He has a significant upside if everything clicks, but should be at least a situational lefthanded reliever if it doesn't.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Kehrer did not have the numbers (5-3, 4.42, 73 IP, 41 BB/90 SO) to match Eastern Illinois' two excellent sophomore starters, Josh Mueller (8-1, 4.85) and Mike Recchia (8-2, 3.02), but his power stuff from the left side attracted a lot of followers among scouts. On any given day this spring, Kehrer showed two pitches in the plus category: a fastball that touched 94-95 mph, and a hard-breaking, slurve-type breaking ball in the upper-70s. His changeup was a non-factor. On the other hand, Kehrer's high-energy delivery caused him trouble repeating his mechanics, and he struggled to spot the ball and to even throw strikes. Scouts hope that Kehrer's athletic ability will enable him to make mechanical adjustments at the professional level that he hasn't been able to make in college. His most-likely role is as a two-pitch, power lefty specialist, but there could be more ability there.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |
| |
| 49. |
Victor Black |
RHP |
Jr. |
R-R |
6-4 |
205 |
Dallas Baptist |
Amarillo, Texas |
Mets '06 (41) |
5/23/1988 |
| SCOUTING PROFILE (3/1): Black had a 2008 season that he would just as soon forget. He never got untracked as a sophomore at Dallas Baptist, going 1-6, 4.97 in 14 starts, and struggled even more in summer ball, going 0-4, 7.01 in 10 appearances for Bourne of the Cape Cod League. Between the two stops, he walked 69 and struck out 81 in 97 innings. Black's mechanics were at the source of his problems. He struggled with his release point and his extension on the front side of his delivery, and his command faltered in the process. Though he still flashed electric stuff on occasion, with a fastball at 90-94 mph that would occasionally creep up to 97, and a slider at 84, his inability to throw strikes consistently doomed him. Black is big, strong and physical, and had shown considerable promise as a freshman at Dallas Baptist, which led to a Team USA invitation. But his progress clearly stalled in 2008, and even went into reverse. But Black underwent a transformation in the fall and was a much-more refined pitcher. He was at his absolute best on Scout Day, when he showcased his customary power arm with noticeably better mechanics and command. Suddenly, his prospects for the 2009 draft went from a tentative 5th-8th rounder, to a possible 2nd-4th rounder.-- ALLAN SIMPSON |
| UPDATE (5/15): Black took another huge step forward this spring with his command and pitchability, and will be rewarded for it on draft day when he could conceivably be the first college pitcher from Texas selected. He went 6-4, 4.16 in 15 starts/88 innings this spring, a far cry from his combined 1-10 record between DBU and the Cape as a sophomore. Black was already climbing the draft charts before an April 30 game against Texas A&M, when he matched up with Texas A&M lefthander Brooks Raley, who conceivably could be his biggest challenge as the first Texas college pitcher drafted. The two pitched to a draw in a game that A&M eventually won 4-3 in the bullpen.-- DAVID RAWNSLEY |